Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => Flowers and Foliage Now => Topic started by: Brian Ellis on February 03, 2017, 12:22:23 PM

Title: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 03, 2017, 12:22:23 PM
Amazingly after at least two and a half weeks in bud the Eranthis 'Winterzauber' in the front garden is starting to open!
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 03, 2017, 03:09:46 PM
A month of February that begins rather well
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: David Nicholson on February 03, 2017, 07:14:32 PM
Looks good Brian. You're lucky to be able to get into the garden it's rained pretty steadily for most of the last week here.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 04, 2017, 09:31:40 AM
After eleven years of planting, I had to calm the growth of two clumps of bamboo.
The first massif is Phyllostachys aureosulcata spectabilis. It was no longer possible to pass around without bending his back. There are no anti-rhizome barriers. I determined once and for all the place I wanted to leave him to grow. For the rest, it is with the lawnmower that I regulate the shoots that rise from freedom outside the zone (sometimes I also pick for food). I left some stubbles so that the plant continues to feed itself while awaiting the New shoots in April - May. As they can not trace leptomorphic bamboos, they behave in cespitous. In the end, on the edges of the massif, the stubble slopes instead of remaining straight. The shape of the massif looks more like a Fargesia than a Phyllostachys.The problem is that the remaining stubbles are more fragile because they are supporting each other.

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Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 04, 2017, 09:37:26 AM
The second massif is Pseudosasa japonica. Here it makes a beautiful screen between the terrace of the garden and the neighborhood. So I made another style of cut for him. I cut half a massif along the length. The other half will be cut in turn. This will happen when the first has rejected.

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Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 04, 2017, 10:58:03 AM
Major work to control these bamboos!
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on February 04, 2017, 12:57:36 PM
Here it makes a beautiful screen between the terrace of the garden and the neighborhood.

You have really big bamboos! They sure do make a beautiful screen all year round over there. :)
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnw on February 04, 2017, 08:26:30 PM
Fred  - Is that a Fargesia I see in the distance well behind the second Spectabilis photo?

I planted a Pseudosasa a block away from home and it reach 4m, unfortunately 2015 burnt all the leaves and killed the highest culms.  It has recovered nicely but one night of -15c in December burnt the uppermost leaves again.  I will try Sasamorpha borealis as a replacement sometime.

john
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ikizzeki on February 04, 2017, 10:32:38 PM
Some Crocuses .. First flowers in the new year..
And Romulea tempskyana
Antalya/Turkey
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 04, 2017, 11:00:09 PM
Maggi, I cut the chainsaw.
Leena, actually the presence of green is all year present in the garden.
John, it is a Fargesia, to his left a Phyllostachys vivax, to his right a Sasa cernua 'nebulosa' and even more to the right, a Phyllostachys nigra 'Henonis'. Completely to the left of the picture, a Phyllostachys nigra 'Boryana'
I grow a few species.
From the smallest to the largest:

* Pleioblastus distichus
* Pleioblastus fortunei
* Pleioblastus pumilus
* Pleioblastus viridistriatus
* Sasa masamuneana 'albostriata'
* Hibanobambusa tranquillans 'Shiroshima'
* Sasa cernua 'Nebulosa'
* Sasa tesselata
* Sasa tsuboïana
* Fargesia nitida
* Phyllostachys aurea
* Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Spectabilis'
* Phyllostachys aureosulcata 'Aureocaulis'
* Phyllostachys bisseti
* Phyllostachys glauca
* Phyllostachys décora
* Phyllostachys nigra
* Pseudosasa japonica
* Semiarundinaria fastuosa
* Phyllostachys atrovaginata
* Phyllostachys nigra 'Boryana'
* Phyllostachys nigra 'Henonis'
* Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis
* Phyllostachys vivax huangwenzhu
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnw on February 05, 2017, 12:34:41 AM
Fred  - That's quite a bamboo list!  Have you been spending time at Kimmei? ;)

You really should try Borinda (aka Fargesia) KR 5287.

Did Sasa palmata get changed to S. cernua?

john
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 05, 2017, 09:05:33 AM
Yes, John, I bought some bamboos at Kimmei (5 or 6).

Sasa cernua 'Nebulosa' is often confused with Sasa palmata. It originates from Japan (Hokkaido and north of Honshu). Its local name is Okuyama-Zasa. It has leaves 20 to 28 cm long and 5 to 7 wide. They are oblong and lustrous, arranged in 'palm'.
It is the foliage that makes it its main attraction. When you look at it against the light it is beautiful. When the plant grows older, its stems become colored black. The young stems can be eaten raw in salad and they are numerous. It is the bamboo that I find most difficult to contain. Finally ... to watch because it could invade the space quickly. However once cut off on the ground, the stems do not reject. In the spring, shoots come out everywhere even away from the plant. The sheets can also be used for presentation of certain dishes. It grows everywhere, in the shade as well as in the sun.

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Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on February 07, 2017, 04:50:28 PM
We have been away in Ontario for 3 1/2 weeks, and while we were away this happened.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: YT on February 09, 2017, 04:47:13 AM
It's the ealiest Shibateranthis pinnatifida flower this season.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 11, 2017, 09:22:53 PM
After some stormy weather finally a nice sunny day.

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I bought these as Crocus biflorus ssp. isauricus. They are a bit rain splashed with soil but looking good.

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Sunshine and open flowers.

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Narcissus cylamineus

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A tiny Narcissus fernandesii

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Narcissus scaberulus JJA706
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 11, 2017, 09:34:08 PM
[attachimg=1]

A white Cylamen persicum. It has been blooming for many weeks now and has looked good despite the stormy weather.

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A pink Cylamen persicum coming on well.

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A magenta Cyclamen coum ready to plant out.

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A Rhododendron dauricum seedling.

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A hybrid Abutilon loaded with flowers.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Philip Walker on February 17, 2017, 11:01:40 AM
Puschkinia scilloides
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2017, 08:13:36 PM
Puschkinia scilloides
I've just been posting about these small blue bulbs - I can never tell them apart!  Looks  like this may be a Puschkinia then? edit: Roma tells me it is a Scilla!
[attachimg=1]

The Iris are doing well- they seem to be growing faster than the slugs can eat them!
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Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
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Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 18, 2017, 08:15:24 PM
A few more
[attachimg=1]
Galanthus 'Corrin'

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Galanthus view

[attachimg=3]
Eranthis view


[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Leena on February 19, 2017, 07:41:32 AM
I love the views with snowdrops (and other early spring flowers)! :) Every time I start to think how I could create something similar in my garden, but I'm so behind yet.
Last week's bulb log was also so inspiring (like it always is).
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 19, 2017, 08:47:55 AM
The little Blue Iris are multiplied, Maggi. Ian will have to move the tuft that grows and flourishes behind the wooden lattice. It is a pity that the flowers are crushed behind.

Leena, the photos you show from your garden are often very well composed too.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 19, 2017, 05:18:57 PM
A more or less continuous series of storms are impacting Northern California. At times there is torrential rainfall and extreme winds approaching hurricane force. This beats drought! The next storm is expected to arrive later today or this evening with more hurricane force winds, torrential rainfall, and flooding.  Much of the Sacramento Valley is flooded and looks like a lake (this is what it was like 200 years ago every winter). Many of the main highways in Northern California are closed or have been recently closed due to flooding, mudslides, and other storm damage. The Oroville Reservoir spillway continues to be used with progressive damage to its structure. The reservoir is expected to crest again Monday and it is questionable if the emergency spillway will hold together.

Despite the weather spring is progressing.

[attachimg=1]

As of today there are still flowers on our Okame Cherry. I like seeing a carpet of spent flowers on the ground around the tree, however this year the rain and wind have washed away this beautiful scene. With hurricane force winds there will most likely be no blossoms on the tree by tomorrow. Oh well, at least we can enjoy the flowers now.  :)

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Primula (Dodecatheon) hendersonii - I brought these down from the farm. They are most likely a triploid form as they set very few seed. The tetraploid forms from higher in the Sierra Nevada have just broken their dormancy. They will bloom next month, a very nice extension to the season.  :)

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Acer rubescens 'Silver Cardinal' The bark is very beautiful. Our tree has lost its creamy leaf variegation. This is fine with me. I like the regular green leaves and the bright autumn leaf colors.

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Rhododendron spinuliferum It grows well in hot weather.

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Rhododendron mucronulatum.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 19, 2017, 05:32:12 PM
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Our 'Star Magnolias' are in bloom.

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A Tristagma with a few open flowers.

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An old fashion Pansy in bloom. The slugs are terrible so I broke down are started using Iron phosphate. The slugs were eating everything. This has stopped.

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Erythronium multiscapideum getting ready to bloom.  :)
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Yann on February 19, 2017, 07:28:13 PM
Robert your soil looks wet and damp, isn't it? Does repairs with concrete and boulders at Oroville can hold the dam? nothing can retain water's force.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Graham Catlow on February 19, 2017, 07:36:44 PM
Some early colour in the garden. The first of the Rhododendrons to flower are R. praecox and R. irroratum.

Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 19, 2017, 10:27:59 PM
Although our weather is nothing like what Robert experience, the freezing and now heavy rain do a lot of damage to the spring flower  display. I have even had to kill a lot of slugs although they said the brown slugs wouldn't stand the winter! (I never thought that)

Robert,

seems the spring is far advanced! Hope the weather and flooding don't spoil everything.


Maggi,

Your spring flowering is terrific!
I am very jealous if your plants grow faster than the slugs eat them! Many of my snowdrops are already destroyed both by slugs and weather.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Philip Walker on February 19, 2017, 11:33:33 PM
Maggi- it probably is Scilla mischtschenkoana.They've been in too long to remember.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 20, 2017, 12:37:30 AM
Robert your soil looks wet and damp, isn't it? Does repairs with concrete and boulders at Oroville can hold the dam? nothing can retain water's force.

Hi Yann,

I know what you mean, eventually water cannot be stopped. We will know in a day or two if the repairs at Oroville Dam will hold. The main Interstate freeway is partly closed north of Sacramento near the town of Maxwell. The town is flooded and will most likely flood again (or stay flooded) with the next storm.

As for our garden, yes it very wet and is somewhat waterlogged. Our loam soil drains well and this helps a great deal. I have made compost that I would like to spread around (feed the plants and stop rain slash), however the weather and other urgent project have needed to come first.


Robert,

seems the spring is far advanced! Hope the weather and flooding don't spoil everything.



Trond,

As you can most certainly guess, the slugs have been terrible. The Iron Phosphate has saved the day for many plants. Spring is advancing, but very unevenly. Pooling water has been a minor problem in our garden. The fierce winds and slugs have been very destructive. The slugs are under better control but there is no much I can do about the wind. I did get a few Galanthus flowers. The Iris reticulata flowers were eaten to nothing and a few plants have managed to survive. It sounds terrible, but so far there is still much to look forward to and some plants have done well.

The wind is starting to pick up and the rain is starting again.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 20, 2017, 11:34:15 AM
Maggi- it probably is Scilla mischtschenkoana.They've been in too long to remember.
;D ;)

Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: astragalus on February 20, 2017, 12:31:07 PM
Maggi, what a lovely array of small bulbs in your garden. Can't imagine seeing this in February, lucky you!
Hope my Iris 'Katherine Hodgkins will look as lush some year. Everything still snow- covered here.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: ruweiss on February 20, 2017, 08:47:14 PM
Ranunculus calandrinioides flowers quite early
like every year in the past time.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 21, 2017, 05:55:39 PM
More special than beautiful: Coptis japonica.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 25, 2017, 05:45:59 PM
A few things from the middle of the USA.

Adonis
colchicum hungaricum
cyclamen coum "Magenta
eranthis pinnitifida

John B
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 25, 2017, 05:52:33 PM
A few more

John B

eranthis schwefflglanz
Eyecatcher
gymnospermium
Margurite

John B
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 25, 2017, 06:03:31 PM
And more

Mars Landing
meredera sobolifera

John B
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 25, 2017, 06:06:00 PM
More

Orange glow
sternbergia candida
sternbergia fisheriana
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 25, 2017, 06:09:33 PM
More

Sea Green
Velvet Smile

John B
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: WimB on February 25, 2017, 06:43:34 PM
An Adonis amurensis with nice buds just starting.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 26, 2017, 08:20:31 AM
John B, you have a beautiful collection of Iris reticulata
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: arilnut on February 26, 2017, 03:52:23 PM
Thank you Fred.  More are coming from Alan this year.

John B
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Cfred72 on February 26, 2017, 06:11:02 PM
I realized that. There are many from Alan that I would like to cultivate.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: fermi de Sousa on February 27, 2017, 01:50:04 AM
I realized that. There are many from Alan that I would like to cultivate.
me too! :'(
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 27, 2017, 06:34:00 PM
Just too cool you down a bit. No spring up here yet. Flowers are still far away. Winter holiday.

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Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 27, 2017, 06:36:16 PM
Beautiful scenery!  Almost worth tying pieces of wood to one's feet to enjoy it!!  ;D ;)
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Gabriela on February 27, 2017, 06:39:13 PM
Just too cool you down a bit. No spring up here yet. Flowers are still far away. Winter holiday.

Sounds about right for late February ;D Beautiful!
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 27, 2017, 06:46:14 PM
Salix myrsinites.

[attachimg=1]


Pinus sylvestris. Some are rather dense.

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The needles are short and broad. This specimen had also unusually small cones.

[attachimg=3]


[attachimg=4]


[attachimg=5]
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 27, 2017, 06:50:17 PM
Beautiful scenery!  Almost worth tying pieces of wood to one's feet to enjoy it!!  ;D ;)

You don't need to tye anything (they have invented  some smart technical thing ;)) and it's nor wood anymore! (I had my last wooden ski in the 90ies I think  ;D
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 27, 2017, 06:52:25 PM
Sounds about right for late February ;D Beautiful!

We did get snow last night and on Saturday. Before that it was almost nothing here. Very unusual for February!
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Matt T on February 27, 2017, 09:44:53 PM
You don't need to tye anything (they have invented  some smart technical thing ;)) and it's nor wood anymore! (I had my last wooden ski in the 90ies I think  ;D

I saw a feature on a TV show a couple of days ago about a young chap somewhere in the Highlands who makes wooden skis. They were things of real beauty.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 28, 2017, 05:41:53 AM
Just too cool you down a bit. No spring up here yet. Flowers are still far away. Winter holiday.


Trond,

Wonderful photographs!  8)

I was up at the 900 meter level today (Sierra Nevada). There was a fresh coating of snow on the ground, about 15 cm. I would have taken some photographs but it started snowing hard and the snow plows were still trying to get things cleared out. No place to pull over yet and I was not driving the Subaru.  :P

The day before I was at the same elevation. There was only 1 cm of snow on the ground at that time. Ribes roezlii was starting to bud out. No signs of flowers yet, however I frequently see them blooming with a knife-edge of snow along their stems. This is a very beautiful sight!
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Philip Walker on February 28, 2017, 12:18:30 PM
Dionysia 'Monika'
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 28, 2017, 01:01:38 PM
You don't need to tye anything (they have invented  some smart technical thing ;)) and it's nor wood anymore! (I had my last wooden ski in the 90ies I think  ;D
Amazing! Who knew??

[attachimg=1]

Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 28, 2017, 02:16:03 PM
Amazing! Who knew??

(Attachment Link)

You?

...and me  ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hoy on February 28, 2017, 02:19:09 PM
Trond,

Wonderful photographs!  8)

I was up at the 900 meter level today (Sierra Nevada). There was a fresh coating of snow on the ground, about 15 cm. I would have taken some photographs but it started snowing hard and the snow plows were still trying to get things cleared out. No place to pull over yet and I was not driving the Subaru.  :P

The day before I was at the same elevation. There was only 1 cm of snow on the ground at that time. Ribes roezlii was starting to bud out. No signs of flowers yet, however I frequently see them blooming with a knife-edge of snow along their stems. This is a very beautiful sight!

Thanks Robert  :)

Snow at 900m elevation in California now?  When do you reckon the spring arrives at that altitude?
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Robert on February 28, 2017, 02:43:52 PM
Thanks Robert  :)

Snow at 900m elevation in California now?  When do you reckon the spring arrives at that altitude?


Trond,

One year there was 40-60 cm of snowfall on 1 April. This was at the farm, 500 meters.  :o

Even with warmer weather, there can still be snow at 900 m through March. At 1,500 meters there can be fresh snowfall up to the end of May. Sometimes during the U.S.A. holiday at the end of May we would get snowed in at my father's cabin. One year, there was at least 80 cm of new snowfall. Everyone needed to be at work the next day, so the 4x4 vehicles pulled everyone out of the snow and a convoy was created to get out to the main highway many km away. In less than a week it was all done!

Needless to say, species such as Ribes roezlii are well adapted to such conditions.
Title: Re: February 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Maggi Young on February 28, 2017, 06:55:17 PM
Some pictures from the bulb garden of "Hubi"

[attachimg=1]
Cyclamen coum enjoys the humous soil under deciduous shrubs

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Special light for the Cyclamen against the low morning sun

[attachimg=3]
Cyclamen coum Album and Crocus chrysanthus 'Milea'

Thomas is not here in the forum much these days - his daily life to too busy - but he sends his good wishes to all here.
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